Environmental Impact Statement; Proposed South Puget Sound Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan, Thurston County, WA, 17224-17226 [2013-06374]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2013 / Notices
Rehabilitation for the Single Room
Occupancy Dwellings (SRO) Program.
DATES:
This
notice informs the public that the HUD
has submitted to OMB a request for
approval of the information collection
described below. This notice is
soliciting comments from members of
the public and affecting agencies
concerning the proposed collection of
information to: (1) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) Evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) Enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) Minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond; including
through the use of appropriate
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
This notice also lists the following
information:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Due Date: April 19,
2013.
Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Comments should refer to
the proposal by name and/or OMB
approval Number (2506–0145) and
should be sent to: HUD Desk Officer,
Office of Management and Budget, New
Executive Office Building, Washington,
DC 20503; fax: 202–395–5806. Email:
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; fax:
202–395–5806.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colette Pollard, Reports Management
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 Seventh
Street SW., Washington, DC 20410;
email Colette Pollard at
Colette.Pollard@hud.gov or telephone
(202) 402–3400. This is not a toll-free
number. Copies of available documents
submitted to OMB may be obtained
from Ms. Pollard.
Title of Proposed: Annual Progress
Report (APR) for Competitive Homeless
Assistance Programs.
OMB Approval Number: 2506–0145.
Form Numbers: HUD–40118.
Description of the need for the
information and proposed use: This
information will enable HUD to assess
the performance of individual projects
and to determine project compliance
with funding requirements. This
information assists HUD in
understanding homeless clients and
service needs at the local level. HUD
also uses this information to provide
information on overall program
performance and outcomes to HUD staff,
other federal agencies, the Congress, and
the Office of Management and Budget.
Agency Form Numbers: HUD–40118.
Members of the affected public: Grant
recipients for the Supportive Housing
Program (SHP), Shelter Plus Care (S+C)
Program, and the Section 8 Moderate
Rehabilitation for the Single Room
Occupancy Dwellings (SRO) Program.
Number of
respondents
Reporting Burden .....................................................................................
Total Estimated Burden Hours:
111,400.
Status: Revision of a currently
approved collection.
Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as
amended.
Dated: March 15, 2013.
Colette Pollard,
Department Reports Management Officer,
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–06430 Filed 3–19–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R1–ES–2013–N057;
FXES11120100000–134–FF01E00000]
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Environmental Impact Statement;
Proposed South Puget Sound Prairie
Habitat Conservation Plan, Thurston
County, WA
Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement
of meeting; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), advise
interested parties of our intent to
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Annual
responses
3,675
1.346
conduct public scoping under the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) to gather information to prepare
a draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) related to a permit application
from Thurston County, Washington, for
the incidental take of listed species. The
permit application would be associated
the South Puget Sound Prairie Habitat
Conservation Plan (Prairie HCP),
Thurston County, WA.
DATES: A public meeting will be held on
April 6, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at the Exposition Hall, Thurston County
Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road,
Lacey, WA 98503. To ensure
consideration of written comments,
please send your written comments on
or before May 20, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the
development of Thurston County’s
Prairie HCP and the preparation of the
associated EIS should be identified as
such and may be submitted by one of
the following methods:
• U.S. mail: Tim Romanski, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish
and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive
SE., Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503–1263.
• Email: WFWOComments@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Thurston County Prairie
HCP—EIS’’ in the subject line of the
message.
• Facsimile: (360) 753–9518.
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Hours per
response
Burden hours
22.505
×
111,400
• In-Person: Written comments will
be accepted at the public meeting on
April 6, 2013, or can be dropped off
during regular business hours at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Romanski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service at address under ADDRESSES,
above; by email at
Tim_Romanski@fws.gov; or by
telephone at (360) 753–5823.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Reasonable Accommodation
Persons needing reasonable
accommodations to attend and
participate in the public meeting should
contact Tim Romanski (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). To allow
sufficient time to process requests,
please call no later than March 31, 2013.
Information regarding the applicant’s
proposed action is available in
alternative formats upon request.
Background
Section 9 of the Endangered Species
Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
our implementing regulations in the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50
CFR part 17 prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish
or wildlife species listed as endangered
or threatened. Take of listed fish or
wildlife is defined under the Act as ‘‘to
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2013 / Notices
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot,
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or
to attempt to engage in any such
conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532). The term
‘‘harass’’ is defined in the regulations as
‘‘an intentional or negligent act or
omission which creates the likelihood of
injury to wildlife by annoying it to such
an extent as to significantly disrupt
normal behavioral patterns which
include, but are not limited to, breeding,
feeding, or sheltering’’ (50 CFR 17.3).
The term ‘‘harm’’ is defined in the
regulations as ‘‘an act which actually
kills or injures wildlife. Such act may
include significant habitat modification
or degradation where it actually kills or
injures wildlife by significantly
impairing essential behavioral patterns,
including breeding, feeding, and
sheltering’’ (50 CFR 17.3).
Under limited circumstances, we
issue permits to authorize incidental
take—i.e., take that is incidental to, and
not the purpose of, the carrying out of
an otherwise lawful activity.
Regulations governing incidental take
permits for threatened and endangered
species are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22,
respectively. In addition to meeting
other criteria, an incidental take permit
must not jeopardize the continued
existence of federally listed threatened
or endangered species.
NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires
that Federal agencies conduct an
environmental analysis of their
proposed actions to determine if the
actions may significantly affect the
human environment. Under NEPA, a
reasonable range of alternatives to a
proposed project is developed and
considered in the Service’s
environmental review. Alternatives
considered for analysis in an EIS for an
HCP may include: variations in the
scope of covered activities; variations in
the location, amount, and type of
conservation; variations in permit
duration; or a combination of these
elements.
Introduction
South Puget Sound prairies and oak
woodlands are among the rarest habitats
in Washington. Today, only about 10
percent of the spatial extent of the
original South Puget Sound Prairies
remains. Less than 3 percent of that is
considered high-quality prairie habitat.
The decline in the quantity and quality
of prairie habitat in western Washington
has resulted in imperiled populations of
many prairie-dependent species. Land
development and other incompatible
uses are the primary threats to prairies
and their associated species.
Thurston County is located at the
southern end of Puget Sound and has a
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total population of approximately
257,000 people. As one of the fastest
growing regions in the State of
Washington, Thurston County’s
population grew by approximately
50,000 (24 percent) between the year
2000 and the year 2012, and is expected
to grow by over 138,000 by the year
2040. A sizable portion of South Puget
Sound Prairie habitat is located in the
urban-rural interface and in the less
densely populated southern portion of
the county. Based on current zoning and
land use regulations, future
development in the county is likely to
occur on lands with prairie soils and
habitat suitable for rare prairie species
protection or restoration.
Washington State’s Growth
Management Act requires counties to
protect several types of ‘‘critical areas,’’
including important fish and wildlife
habitats such as prairies and oak
woodlands. Thurston County recently
updated and approved its Critical Areas
Ordinance for the protection of South
Puget Sound prairies and oak
woodlands. If the South Puget Sound
Prairie HCP is approved, this ordinance
will be an important basis for
implementing the HCP.
The Prairie HCP goals are to avoid
and minimize incidental take of the
covered species associated with
Thurston County’s activities in the
county and urban growth areas, and to
mitigate the effects of unavoidable take,
primarily by creating conserved habitat
areas in Thurston County where intact
prairie habitat exists. The Prairie HCP
would provide a county-wide
permitting approach for Thurston
County and those who require permits
from Thurston County to develop lands
in the county and urban growth areas.
The proposed term for the Prairie HCP
and permit is from 30 to 50 years.
Covered Activities
Thurston County is seeking incidental
take coverage for activities that it
conducts, permits, or otherwise
authorizes. The proposed covered
activities may include, but are not
limited to: planning and permitting of
residential and agricultural structures
and facilities on existing legal lots;
permits for private and new subdivision
road construction and maintenance;
permits for work in right-of-ways;
construction and maintenance of county
roads, bridges, and right-of-ways;
construction and maintenance of
county-owned buildings and other
administrative facilities; construction
and maintenance of county parks and
historical cemeteries including roads,
trails, vegetation management,
structures, recreational activities,
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17225
scientific research; construction and
operation of solid waste facilities;
permitting and monitoring of wells,
septic systems, and decommissioning of
home oil tanks; maintenance and
monitoring of water resources and
associated facilities; construction,
installation, extension, and maintenance
of surface-water intake facilities,
pumping plants, well houses, water
treatment facilities, and water supply
pipelines; emergency response, cleanup,
and restoration associated with natural
disasters; habitat restoration activities
on county-owned or controlled land, the
Voluntary Stewardship Program for
agricultural activities in habitat areas,
and all habitat enhancement activities
associated with implementation of the
HCP.
Covered Species
Thurston County is proposing to seek
incidental take coverage for two
federally listed species, three species
proposed to be federally listed, one
candidate species, and 12 non-listed
species. These species are described in
more detail in the following paragraphs.
Golden paintbrush (Castilleja
levisecta) is a native forb that was once
found on northwest prairie grasslands
from British Columbia to the Willamette
Valley of Oregon. Golden paintbrush
was federally listed as threatened under
the Endangered Species Act on June 11,
1997 (62 FR 31740). This flowering
plant is known to exist in only 11
locations, including one population
found on a South Puget Sound Prairie
in Thurston County.
Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis) is
a winter annual aquatic plant that grows
in areas that were once associated with
glacial potholes and former river
oxbows that flood in the spring. Water
howellia (Howellia aquatilis) was
federally listed as threatened on July 14,
1993 (59 FR 35860). This flowering
plant is currently known from
California, Idaho, Montana, and
Washington, and was historically found
in Oregon.
Taylor’s checkerspot (Euphydryas
editha taylori) is a native butterfly that
was once widespread throughout
prairies in association with golden
paintbrush. Taylor’s checkerspot was
proposed to be federally listed as an
endangered species and designation of
critical habitat was proposed on October
11, 2012 (77 FR 61937). This species is
already classified as endangered by the
State of Washington. In south Puget
Sound, this species is found at only two
locations: one where the butterfly
naturally occurs, and the other where it
has been reintroduced. Both locations
lie within the south Puget Sound prairie
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landscape. Reintroductions of this
species are being undertaken on lands
already conserved.
Streaked horned lark (Eremophila
alpestris strigata) is a native bird found
in prairies, grasslands, and other
sparsely vegetated areas. This species
was proposed to be federally listed as a
threatened species and designation of
critical habitat was proposed on October
11, 2012 (77 FR 61937). Once
distributed from British Columbia to
southern Oregon, its range has retracted
considerably. Within Thurston County
this species is found at only few
locations. The northernmost known
population occurs on Joint Base LewisMcChord.
The Mazama pocket gopher
(Thomomys mazama), a native mammal
of Thurston County, occurs on prairie
habitat and prairie soils. In the south
Puget Sound area, two of nine
subpopulations of Mazama pocket
gopher have become extinct since the
1940s. Four subspecies of the gopher
were proposed to be federally listed as
threatened and designation of critical
habitat was proposed on December 11,
2012 (77 FR 77370).
The county also proposes to cover the
Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa),
which was designated a candidate
species on September 19, 1997 (62 FR
49402), and the following non-listed
species: western gray squirrel (Sciurus
griseus), Oregon vesper sparrow
(Pooecetes graminesu), slender-billed
white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta
carolinensis aculeate), western pond
turtle (Clemmys marmorata affinus),
western toad (Bufo boreas), mardon
skipper (Polites mardon), Puget blue
butterfly (Icaricia icarioides
blackmorei), valley silverspot butterfly
(Speyeria zerene), white-top aster (Aster
curtus), rose checker mallow (Sidalcea
malviflora virgata), small-flowered
trillium (Trillium parviflorum), and
Puget balsamroot (Balsamorhiza
deltoidea).
information regarding management
issues and goals to be considered in the
development of the HCP; existing
environmental conditions in Thurston
County; other plans or projects that
might be relevant to this proposed
project; permit duration; areas and
specific landforms that should or should
not be covered; species that should or
should not be covered; covered
activities, including potential
avoidance, minimization, and
mitigation measures; monitoring and
adaptive management provisions; and
funding suggestions.
We will accept written comments at
the public meeting. You may also
submit written comments to the Service
at our U.S. mail address, by email, or by
facsimile (see ADDRESSES section above).
Once the draft EIS and draft HCP are
prepared, there will be further
opportunity for public comment on the
content of these documents through an
additional 90-day public comment
period.
Public Scoping
The primary purpose of the scoping
process is for the public to assist the
Service and Thurston County in
developing a draft EIS by identifying
important issues and alternatives related
to the applicant’s proposed action. The
scoping meeting will include
presentations by the Service and
Thurston County, followed by informal
questions and discussions. Written
comments from all interested parties are
welcome to ensure that a full range of
issues and alternatives related to the
proposed permit request is identified.
The Service requests that comments
be specific. In particular, we request
Authority
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18:04 Mar 19, 2013
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Public Availability of Comments
Comments and materials we receive,
as well as supporting documentation we
use in preparing the EIS under NEPA,
will become part of the public record
and will be available for public
inspection by appointment, during
regular business hours, at the Service’s
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office
(see ADDRESSESS). Before including your
address, phone number, email address,
or other personal identifying
information in your comment(s), you
should be aware that your entire
comment(s)—including your personal
identifying information—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment(s) to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
The environmental review of this
project will be conducted in accordance
with the requirements of the NEPA of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),
other applicable Federal laws and
regulations, and applicable policies and
procedures of the Service. This notice is
being furnished in accordance with 40
CFR 1501.7 of the NEPA regulations to
obtain suggestions and information from
other agencies and the public on the
scope of issues and alternatives to be
addressed in the EIS.
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Dated: March 5, 2013.
Richard R. Hannan,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2013–06374 Filed 3–19–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–FHC–2013–N062;
FXFR1334088TWG0W4–123–FF08EACT00]
Trinity Adaptive Management Working
Group; Public Meeting, Teleconference
and Web-Based Meeting
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, announce a public
meeting, teleconference and web-based
meeting of the Trinity Adaptive
Management Working Group (TAMWG).
DATES: Public meeting, Teleconference,
and web-based meeting: Monday April
1, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific
time. Deadlines: For deadlines and
directions on registering to listen to the
meeting by phone, listening and
viewing on the Internet, submitting
written material, please see ‘‘Public
Input’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
You may participate in
person or by teleconference or webbased meeting from your home
computer or phone.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth W. Hadley, Redding Electric
Utility, 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding,
CA 96001; telephone: 530–339–7327;
email: ehadley@reupower.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the requirements of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C. App., we announce that the
Trinity Adaptive Management Working
Group (TAMWG) will hold a
teleconference/web-based meeting.
ADDRESSES:
Background
The TAMWG affords stakeholders the
opportunity to give policy, management,
and technical input concerning Trinity
River (California) restoration efforts to
the Trinity Management Council (TMC).
The TMC interprets and recommends
policy, coordinates and reviews
management actions, and provides
organizational budget oversight.
Meeting Agenda
• Designated Federal Officer (DFO)
updates,
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17224-17226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06374]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-ES-2013-N057; FXES11120100000-134-FF01E00000]
Environmental Impact Statement; Proposed South Puget Sound
Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan, Thurston County, WA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of meeting; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise
interested parties of our intent to conduct public scoping under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to gather information to
prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to a
permit application from Thurston County, Washington, for the incidental
take of listed species. The permit application would be associated the
South Puget Sound Prairie Habitat Conservation Plan (Prairie HCP),
Thurston County, WA.
DATES: A public meeting will be held on April 6, 2013, from 9:30 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at the Exposition Hall, Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054
Carpenter Road, Lacey, WA 98503. To ensure consideration of written
comments, please send your written comments on or before May 20, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the development of Thurston County's
Prairie HCP and the preparation of the associated EIS should be
identified as such and may be submitted by one of the following
methods:
U.S. mail: Tim Romanski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE., Suite 102,
Lacey, WA 98503-1263.
Email: WFWOComments@fws.gov. Include ``Thurston County
Prairie HCP--EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
Facsimile: (360) 753-9518.
In-Person: Written comments will be accepted at the public
meeting on April 6, 2013, or can be dropped off during regular business
hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Romanski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service at address under ADDRESSES, above; by email at Tim_Romanski@fws.gov; or by telephone at (360) 753-5823.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Reasonable Accommodation
Persons needing reasonable accommodations to attend and participate
in the public meeting should contact Tim Romanski (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). To allow sufficient time to process requests,
please call no later than March 31, 2013. Information regarding the
applicant's proposed action is available in alternative formats upon
request.
Background
Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) and our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 prohibit the ``take'' of fish or
wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Take of listed
fish or wildlife is defined under the Act as ``to
[[Page 17225]]
harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or
collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct'' (16 U.S.C.
1532). The term ``harass'' is defined in the regulations as ``an
intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood
of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to
significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are
not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering'' (50 CFR 17.3). The
term ``harm'' is defined in the regulations as ``an act which actually
kills or injures wildlife. Such act may include significant habitat
modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife
by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including
breeding, feeding, and sheltering'' (50 CFR 17.3).
Under limited circumstances, we issue permits to authorize
incidental take--i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose
of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations
governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species
are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. In addition to meeting
other criteria, an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the
continued existence of federally listed threatened or endangered
species.
NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires that Federal agencies
conduct an environmental analysis of their proposed actions to
determine if the actions may significantly affect the human
environment. Under NEPA, a reasonable range of alternatives to a
proposed project is developed and considered in the Service's
environmental review. Alternatives considered for analysis in an EIS
for an HCP may include: variations in the scope of covered activities;
variations in the location, amount, and type of conservation;
variations in permit duration; or a combination of these elements.
Introduction
South Puget Sound prairies and oak woodlands are among the rarest
habitats in Washington. Today, only about 10 percent of the spatial
extent of the original South Puget Sound Prairies remains. Less than 3
percent of that is considered high-quality prairie habitat. The decline
in the quantity and quality of prairie habitat in western Washington
has resulted in imperiled populations of many prairie-dependent
species. Land development and other incompatible uses are the primary
threats to prairies and their associated species.
Thurston County is located at the southern end of Puget Sound and
has a total population of approximately 257,000 people. As one of the
fastest growing regions in the State of Washington, Thurston County's
population grew by approximately 50,000 (24 percent) between the year
2000 and the year 2012, and is expected to grow by over 138,000 by the
year 2040. A sizable portion of South Puget Sound Prairie habitat is
located in the urban-rural interface and in the less densely populated
southern portion of the county. Based on current zoning and land use
regulations, future development in the county is likely to occur on
lands with prairie soils and habitat suitable for rare prairie species
protection or restoration.
Washington State's Growth Management Act requires counties to
protect several types of ``critical areas,'' including important fish
and wildlife habitats such as prairies and oak woodlands. Thurston
County recently updated and approved its Critical Areas Ordinance for
the protection of South Puget Sound prairies and oak woodlands. If the
South Puget Sound Prairie HCP is approved, this ordinance will be an
important basis for implementing the HCP.
The Prairie HCP goals are to avoid and minimize incidental take of
the covered species associated with Thurston County's activities in the
county and urban growth areas, and to mitigate the effects of
unavoidable take, primarily by creating conserved habitat areas in
Thurston County where intact prairie habitat exists. The Prairie HCP
would provide a county-wide permitting approach for Thurston County and
those who require permits from Thurston County to develop lands in the
county and urban growth areas. The proposed term for the Prairie HCP
and permit is from 30 to 50 years.
Covered Activities
Thurston County is seeking incidental take coverage for activities
that it conducts, permits, or otherwise authorizes. The proposed
covered activities may include, but are not limited to: planning and
permitting of residential and agricultural structures and facilities on
existing legal lots; permits for private and new subdivision road
construction and maintenance; permits for work in right-of-ways;
construction and maintenance of county roads, bridges, and right-of-
ways; construction and maintenance of county-owned buildings and other
administrative facilities; construction and maintenance of county parks
and historical cemeteries including roads, trails, vegetation
management, structures, recreational activities, scientific research;
construction and operation of solid waste facilities; permitting and
monitoring of wells, septic systems, and decommissioning of home oil
tanks; maintenance and monitoring of water resources and associated
facilities; construction, installation, extension, and maintenance of
surface-water intake facilities, pumping plants, well houses, water
treatment facilities, and water supply pipelines; emergency response,
cleanup, and restoration associated with natural disasters; habitat
restoration activities on county-owned or controlled land, the
Voluntary Stewardship Program for agricultural activities in habitat
areas, and all habitat enhancement activities associated with
implementation of the HCP.
Covered Species
Thurston County is proposing to seek incidental take coverage for
two federally listed species, three species proposed to be federally
listed, one candidate species, and 12 non-listed species. These species
are described in more detail in the following paragraphs.
Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) is a native forb that was
once found on northwest prairie grasslands from British Columbia to the
Willamette Valley of Oregon. Golden paintbrush was federally listed as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act on June 11, 1997 (62 FR
31740). This flowering plant is known to exist in only 11 locations,
including one population found on a South Puget Sound Prairie in
Thurston County.
Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis) is a winter annual aquatic
plant that grows in areas that were once associated with glacial
potholes and former river oxbows that flood in the spring. Water
howellia (Howellia aquatilis) was federally listed as threatened on
July 14, 1993 (59 FR 35860). This flowering plant is currently known
from California, Idaho, Montana, and Washington, and was historically
found in Oregon.
Taylor's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) is a native
butterfly that was once widespread throughout prairies in association
with golden paintbrush. Taylor's checkerspot was proposed to be
federally listed as an endangered species and designation of critical
habitat was proposed on October 11, 2012 (77 FR 61937). This species is
already classified as endangered by the State of Washington. In south
Puget Sound, this species is found at only two locations: one where the
butterfly naturally occurs, and the other where it has been
reintroduced. Both locations lie within the south Puget Sound prairie
[[Page 17226]]
landscape. Reintroductions of this species are being undertaken on
lands already conserved.
Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) is a native
bird found in prairies, grasslands, and other sparsely vegetated areas.
This species was proposed to be federally listed as a threatened
species and designation of critical habitat was proposed on October 11,
2012 (77 FR 61937). Once distributed from British Columbia to southern
Oregon, its range has retracted considerably. Within Thurston County
this species is found at only few locations. The northernmost known
population occurs on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama), a native mammal of
Thurston County, occurs on prairie habitat and prairie soils. In the
south Puget Sound area, two of nine subpopulations of Mazama pocket
gopher have become extinct since the 1940s. Four subspecies of the
gopher were proposed to be federally listed as threatened and
designation of critical habitat was proposed on December 11, 2012 (77
FR 77370).
The county also proposes to cover the Oregon spotted frog (Rana
pretiosa), which was designated a candidate species on September 19,
1997 (62 FR 49402), and the following non-listed species: western gray
squirrel (Sciurus griseus), Oregon vesper sparrow (Pooecetes
graminesu), slender-billed white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis
aculeate), western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata affinus), western
toad (Bufo boreas), mardon skipper (Polites mardon), Puget blue
butterfly (Icaricia icarioides blackmorei), valley silverspot butterfly
(Speyeria zerene), white-top aster (Aster curtus), rose checker mallow
(Sidalcea malviflora virgata), small-flowered trillium (Trillium
parviflorum), and Puget balsamroot (Balsamorhiza deltoidea).
Public Scoping
The primary purpose of the scoping process is for the public to
assist the Service and Thurston County in developing a draft EIS by
identifying important issues and alternatives related to the
applicant's proposed action. The scoping meeting will include
presentations by the Service and Thurston County, followed by informal
questions and discussions. Written comments from all interested parties
are welcome to ensure that a full range of issues and alternatives
related to the proposed permit request is identified.
The Service requests that comments be specific. In particular, we
request information regarding management issues and goals to be
considered in the development of the HCP; existing environmental
conditions in Thurston County; other plans or projects that might be
relevant to this proposed project; permit duration; areas and specific
landforms that should or should not be covered; species that should or
should not be covered; covered activities, including potential
avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures; monitoring and
adaptive management provisions; and funding suggestions.
We will accept written comments at the public meeting. You may also
submit written comments to the Service at our U.S. mail address, by
email, or by facsimile (see ADDRESSES section above). Once the draft
EIS and draft HCP are prepared, there will be further opportunity for
public comment on the content of these documents through an additional
90-day public comment period.
Public Availability of Comments
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we use in preparing the EIS under NEPA, will become part
of the public record and will be available for public inspection by
appointment, during regular business hours, at the Service's Washington
Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSESS). Before including your
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying
information in your comment(s), you should be aware that your entire
comment(s)--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment(s) to withhold your personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Authority
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the NEPA of 1969, as amended (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable Federal laws and regulations,
and applicable policies and procedures of the Service. This notice is
being furnished in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the NEPA
regulations to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies
and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed
in the EIS.
Dated: March 5, 2013.
Richard R. Hannan,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2013-06374 Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
